Merchants beware of scam!

Over the past few days, SD&G OPP has received two reports of suspected scams.

The incident consists of a female entering a local store and speaking with the employee at the cash register. After a short time three to four more people come into the store and start asking the employee questions about the merchandise that is for sale.

When the employee is distracted a member of the group goes behind the counter or into a storage area looking for cash or valuables.

SD&G OPP want to remind merchants to be aware of this possible scam and to not to be distracted. If more than one person starts to engage in questions advise them to speak one at a time and be firm as to where they are allowed to go in the store.

If any merchant experiences this type of incident please take note of the description of the criminals and what type of vehicle they are using and call your local police detachment.

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Early Saturday morning, April 7th, the South Dundas Fire and Emergency Services was called to a home on Merkley Street in Morrisburg.

Too late to save the home, the firefighters from the Morrisburg and Williamsburg stations were able to get the blaze under control in time to keep it from spreading to neighbouring homes.

According to chief Chris McDonough, “one of my volunteers was going to work at five in the morning and he heard a crack and looked up to see a glow in the sky.”

By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the home and its attached garage were completely engulfed in flames. With the home beyond saving, the primary goal became stopping the fire from spreading to surrounding homes.

“There was exposure to the south,” said McDonough, “but we managed to stop it.”

“The guys did a good job. They had it knocked down pretty quick.”

The home was empty at the time of the fire and no one was hurt. McDonough estimated the damage to be in the vicinity of $260,000.

“We don’t have a cause as to what started the fire,” said McDonough. “It looks like it started in the garage area.” In fact, the car parked on the property was also destroyed by the fire, leaving nothing but a charred frame.

“I didn’t feel there was anything suspicious with the fire,” he said.

His reasoning behind the determination included the following facts: damage was not over $500,000; there were no injuries or fatalities and no explosions.

He did point out that the insurance company “is probably going to bring in a private investigator tomorrow,” April 10th. He reiterated, however, that he felt there was nothing suspicious.

The Merkley Street home had been listed for sale at the time of the fire for a list price of $239,000.

Ontario East British Home Child Family, in partnership with Upper Canada Village, is pleased to announce that the Aultsville Train Station will house a British Home Child exhibit on weekends from August 31st 2013 until September 28, 2013.

Between the 1860’s and the 1930’s, over 100,000 impoverished children from the British Isles were sent to Canada to work as indentured servants in the homes and farms of this country. These children, ranging in age from infancy to 16 years, were removed from their homes by philanthropic organizations and sent to Canada in hopes of securing a better future for them.

After travelling to Canada by ship and spending time at one of the many receiving homes located in this country, the British Home Child would often travel to their new “home” via train. There is little doubt that many of these littlest of immigrants would have been found waiting in or near a building such as the Aultsville Train Station for pick up by their new “family”.

It is for this reason that the Ontario East British Home Child Family, which seeks to preserve and promote the story of the British Home Child, approached Upper Canada Village to seek permission to house a collection of memorabilia and information on British Home Children in Canada at the Aultsville Station.

The Aultsville Station will be open from 12 to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from August 31st until September 28, 2013.

The exhibit will be composed of various artifacts and information that have been collected by British Home Child Descendants and interested members of the public.

On site there will be a member of the OEBHCF available to provide information and answer questions as required.